Being LGBTI in Asia

Professor Emeritus Vitit Muntarbhorn, the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, gives the keynote address at the Conference on the Yogyakarta Principles, 26 April 2017 in Bangkok. Photo: Ian Mungall/UNDP.

Being LGBTI in Asia is a regional programme aimed at addressing inequality, violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status, and promotes universal access to health and social services. It is a collaboration between governments, civil society, regional institutions and other stakeholders to advance the social inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. The programme recognizes that LGBTI people are highly marginalized and face varied forms of stigma and discrimination based on their distinct sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. The programme is supported by UNDP, the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, the U.S. Agency for International Development and Faith in Love Foundation (Hong Kong).

Objectives

Convening stakeholders

The programme brings key stakeholders together to foster a greater understanding of the marginalization and exclusion faced by LGBTI people in the region. The purpose of this is to identify, discuss and eventually move beyond the obstacles that contribute to exclusion, discrimination and violence against people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. This objective includes facilitating South-South cooperation and learning opportunities among governments, civil society, human rights bodies and other stakeholders.

A Technical Advisory Group provides guidance to the initiative, comprising experts from academia, civil society, government, human rights bodies, communication and social media, the private sector and LGBTI groups.

Strengthening strategic information

The programme strives to address the large research gaps that currently exist on the stigma, discrimination, violence and human rights violations experienced by sexual and gender minorities in Asia. By addressing these gaps the programme seeks to equip duty bearers with the strategic information required to adequately address stigma and discrimination, end harmful practices that fuel human rights violations against LGBTI individuals in public and private settings, and to ensure these marginalized groups have equal access to justice and public services.

Objectives

Convening stakeholders

The programme brings key stakeholders together to foster a greater understanding of the marginalization and exclusion faced by LGBTI people in the region. The purpose of this is to identify, discuss and eventually move beyond the obstacles that contribute to exclusion, discrimination and violence against people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. This objective includes facilitating South-South cooperation and learning opportunities among governments, civil society, human rights bodies and other stakeholders.

A Technical Advisory Group provides guidance to the initiative, comprising experts, including LGBTI people, from academia, civil society, government, human rights bodies, communication and social media, and the private sector.

Strengthening strategic information

The programme strives to address the large research gaps that currently exist on the stigma, discrimination, violence and human rights violations experienced by sexual and gender minorities in Asia. By addressing these gaps the programme seeks to equip duty bearers with the strategic information required to adequately address stigma and discrimination, end harmful practices that fuel human rights violations against LGBTI individuals in public and private settings, and to ensure these marginalized groups have equal access to justice and public services.

Expected outcomes

· Increased participation of LGBTI people in policy development including universal access to health, social services, education and employment, and rule of law and accountability mechanisms

· Greater understanding amongst stakeholders of the development dimensions and inclusion of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities

Together, these objective and outcomes contribute to the achievement of:

[In centre area below the above content, we will inset a one or two column list to highlight recent key stories, with thumbnail images.]

Objectives

Convening stakeholders

The programme brings key stakeholders together to foster a greater understanding of the marginalization and exclusion faced by LGBTI people in the region. The purpose of this is to identify, discuss and eventually move beyond the obstacles that contribute to exclusion, discrimination and violence against people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. This objective includes facilitating South-South cooperation and learning opportunities among governments, civil society, human rights bodies and other stakeholders.

A Technical Advisory Group provides guidance to the initiative, comprising experts, including LGBTI people, from academia, civil society, government, human rights bodies, communication and social media, and the private sector.

Strengthening strategic information

The programme strives to address the large research gaps that currently exist on the stigma, discrimination, violence and human rights violations experienced by sexual and gender minorities in Asia. By addressing these gaps the programme seeks to equip duty bearers with the strategic information required to adequately address stigma and discrimination, end harmful practices that fuel human rights violations against LGBTI individuals in public and private settings, and to ensure these marginalized groups have equal access to justice and public services.

Expected outcomes

· Increased participation of LGBTI people in policy development including universal access to health, social services, education and employment, and rule of law and accountability mechanisms

· Greater understanding amongst stakeholders of the development dimensions and inclusion of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities

Together, these objective and outcomes contribute to the achievement of:

[In centre area below the above content, we will inset a one or two column list to highlight recent key stories, with thumbnail images.]

Objectives

Convening stakeholders

The programme brings key stakeholders together to foster a greater understanding of the marginalization and exclusion faced by LGBTI people in the region. The purpose of this is to identify, discuss and eventually move beyond the obstacles that contribute to exclusion, discrimination and violence against people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. This objective includes facilitating South-South cooperation and learning opportunities among governments, civil society, human rights bodies and other stakeholders.

A Technical Advisory Group provides guidance to the initiative, comprising experts, including LGBTI people, from academia, civil society, government, human rights bodies, communication and social media, and the private sector.

Strengthening strategic information

The programme strives to address the large research gaps that currently exist on the stigma, discrimination, violence and human rights violations experienced by sexual and gender minorities in Asia. By addressing these gaps the programme seeks to equip duty bearers with the strategic information required to adequately address stigma and discrimination, end harmful practices that fuel human rights violations against LGBTI individuals in public and private settings, and to ensure these marginalized groups have equal access to justice and public services.

Expected outcomes

· Increased participation of LGBTI people in policy development including universal access to health, social services, education and employment, and rule of law and accountability mechanisms

· Greater understanding amongst stakeholders of the development dimensions and inclusion of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities

Together, these objective and outcomes contribute to the achievement of:

Our stories

Jul 5, 2017 - Love can never be categorised or legislated. Last April, a friend sent me a link to a video advertisement on YouTube, warning me to be "ready with your handkerchief". While I watched, the images on the ad hit me like a bus. They brought forth a flood of emotions and memories from my years growing up as a transgender woman in Mumbai, India.more

Apr 26, 2017 - On the anniversary of the murder of two LGBTI activists by extremists in Bangladesh, participants at a global Conference on the Yogyakarta Principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity reaffirmed that the Principles remain as relevant today as when they were released 10 years ago.more

Apr 19, 2017 - As part of our commitment to ensuring inclusion and supporting participation and capacity development of young people from the LGBTI community, we are following the progress of those who have worked or volunteered with Being LGBTI in Asia. For many, the platform has helped to propel them forward in their personal and professional journeys. Below are short ‘where are they now’ stories and testimonials of 15 young LGBTI professionals to watch out for.more

Dec 2, 2016 - For the first time in over a decade, and only the second time ever, an International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) World Conference was hosted in Asia this week in Bangkok, Thailand. Hosted by the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand and Purple Sky Network, the five-day conference brought up to 1,000 participants from around the world.more

Feb 9, 2016 - The first ever national level meeting on issues and challenges facing intersex people in Nepal was held this week in Kathmandu, providing an important opportunity for activists to advocate for inclusion in ongoing dialogue around human rights for sexual minorities in the country.more

Nov 11, 2015 - On 11th November in Beijing, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNAIDS co-supported the Red Ribbon Forum on the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. The meeting was designed to hear voices and concerns and identify some practical solutions to improve the national response to AIDS in China, with the goal to influence the new 5 year plan on AIDS currently under development.more

Nov 3, 2015 - Discrimination and exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in the private sector workplace in Thailand and across Asia is having both economic and human impacts.more